Truck Causes 11-Car Collision on Georgia Parkway
A tractor-trailer failed to stop at a red light on Queen City Parkway in Gainesville, GA and caused an 11-car chain reaction crash, sending nine people to the hospital with injuries. The highway was closed for hours after the accident, which occurred while the area was under a dense fog advisory.
As of now we do not know why the truck driver did not stop. There are myriad factors that could have caused the wreck, including driving too fast for conditions (fog) or driving in excess of regulated hours of operation for a tractor-trailer driver, to name a few. Regardless of the cause of the accident, this news story shows that it only takes one truck to damage numerous other vehicles.
Common causes of truck accidents
Given the weight and size of tractor-trailers compared to smaller vehicles, accidents between the two tend to result in serious injuries or fatalities. Although truck driving rules and regulations are becoming much more stringent, accidents still occur. Some reasons include:
- Driver fatigue. Fatigue is a common cause of tractor-trailer accidents. Drivers are on the road hours each day, often overnight. The more miles they cover, the better. Even though federal regulations state drivers must take breaks after a certain number of hours, fatigued drivers are still out there. Sleepiness behind the wheel decreases your reaction time, and a driver who falls asleep behind the wheel can cause a catastrophic accident.
- Inexperienced drivers. In addition to having a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), truck drivers should also undergo specific training before they can operate their vehicles. Unfortunately, some unscrupulous companies can cut corners. If an inexperienced driver cannot handle their rig or perform an evasive maneuver in an emergency, a tragic accident can occur.
- Improper loading. A truck accident can begin way back at the warehouse. If the truck is loaded with cargo incorrectly, it can throw off the weight distribution. This can make the truck difficult to maneuver or lead to jackknifing.
- Distracted driving. Distracted driving is a danger amongst all drivers, but truckers need to be especially vigilant. Long hours on the road can get tedious and boring. With many distractions like a GPS, coffee, food, speaking to dispatchers, or talking on a cell phone (which is prohibited behavior for truck drivers), distractions can easily cause a crash.
If you have suffered injuries in a truck accident, you deserve compensation. Our legal team will investigate every aspect of the accident to find out who or what entity is liable. The attorneys at Harris Lowry Manton LLP will build your case and provide expert, aggressive representation for you or your loved one. To arrange a no-obligation consultation, call us at 404-961-7650 at our Atlanta office, or in Savannah at 912-651-9967, or fill out our contact form.
Harris Lowry Manton LLP is a dedicated full-service trial law firm. Our Georgia personal injury lawyers fight for the injured throughout every step of the legal process. We explain how litigation works from the moment you come into one of our offices in Atlanta or Savannah until your case is solved. Our legal team has achieved remarkable success because we leave no stone unturned when investigating our client’ claims and what should have been done to prevent their injuries. We file claims against all responsible parties — not just the most obvious one.
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